MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., April 4 — For the past seven years, the Progress Minnesota Awards Program through Finance and Commerce has recognized individuals, companies and organizations that drive Minnesota into the future through economic development, entrepreneurship, technological innovation and workforce development. A panel of independent judges reviewed this year’s nominations and recognized 24 honorees for their outstanding efforts. Technovation[MN] is proud to be included in this esteemed group under the category of Workforce Development.
Technovation[MN] inspires young women in middle and high school to develop a mobile app to solve a real problem in their community. Through an intensive 3-month, 50-hour curriculum, teams of young women work together to imagine, design, and develop mobile apps, then pitch their “startup” businesses to a supportive technology community. In 2018, Technovation[MN] is working with 180 mentors to serve 248 students in 34 schools! Because of our programs, more female technology entrepreneurs are inspired to enter the workforce. After Technovation, 78% of students are more interested in computer science, 70% are more interested in entrepreneurship and 26% of alumnae pursue a computer science major in college.
In May, Technovation[MN] hosts a celebratory event, called Appapalooza, to celebrate and congratulate each team of hard-working young women. Appapalooza is an exciting way to see Technovation[MN] in action. Opportunities to volunteer during the event are available, including the chance to judge submissions and provide constructive feedback to teams in real time. Be a part of inspiring young women to contribute their essential voices to help make the world a better place through technology and entrepreneurship. Learn more, sign up to volunteer or consider sponsoring Technovation[MN] at www.technovationmn.org.
‘Receiving this particular award is especially exciting as our vision is to change the demographic landscape in technology fields by fostering entrepreneurship in girls across Minnesota,” said Shawn Stavseth, CoFounder and Executive Director of Technovation[MN]. “Technovation[MN] is a volunteer-led organization and this honor is dedicated to every one of our volunteers who spend numerous hours inspiring girls to leverage technology to make an impact on their community.”
An awards ceremony will take place at the Metropolitan Ballroom & Clubroom in Golden Valley on April 5. Visit https://finance-commerce.com/progress-minnesota/ to purchase tickets for this event.
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Technovation[MN], a program of Code Savvy, brought the Global Technovation Challenge to Minnesota in 2014. The Technovation Challenge is the largest and longest-running global technology competition exclusively for girls to inspire the pursuit of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
The Global Technovation Challenge is a technology entrepreneurship program and competition for young women. Through an intensive 3-month, 50-hour curriculum, teams of young women work together to imagine, design, and develop mobile apps, then pitch their “startup” businesses to investors. 1,374 young women from 19 countries have completed Technovation’s curriculum already, thanks to dedicated local volunteers on the ground worldwide.
Code Savvy is a non-profit organization built to inspire kids and teens to become code-savvy. They create and foster programs and services that help kids understand the kind of creative thinking that goes into coding, and to experience programming computers and devices. By doing this, Code Savvy is determined to bring more gender and ethnic diversity to computer science. It facilitates Technovation[MN].
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